Jan. 25, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today re-introduced legislation giving the General Assembly oversight on the spending of leftover funds, otherwise known as lapsed funds.
“During the prolonged budget battle of 2015, the governor used lapsed funds to advance his priorities without input from the General Assembly,” Ortitay said. “The General Assembly is an equal partner each year in developing a funding plan. The governor should not be able to circumvent us through the backdoor by creating a supplemental budget using lapsed funds.”
Lapsed funds are leftover money from prior fiscal years that are used to maintain the state’s cash flow during the current fiscal year through Act 146 waivers. Currently, only the budget secretary’s approval is required for spending. The House and Senate Appropriations committees are notified of any expenditure.
House Bill 221 would require all Act 146 waivers be approved by a majority vote of both the House and Senate Appropriations committees. The bill has 25 co-sponsors.
The Wolf administration spent approximately $2.7 billion in lapsed state funds from July 1, 2015, to Oct. 31, 2015. This far exceeded the average by $400 million. An example of the administration’s questionable spending was a statewide study of domesticated animals that cost taxpayers $144,000. Another waiver authorized the spending of $19 million to implement Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax plan, despite the fact it was rejected by the Legislature.
The bill is expected to be assigned to a House committee in the near future.
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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